nikonnl wrote:

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Matthew & others,
I've just bought a red dot Nikon F (#65859xx). Matthew has a list with cameras that should not have a red dot. If those cameras do have a red dot, that dot was added later. How can I determine whether the red dot is original or added later? And why should someone (and who?) add a dot later?
Thanks & regards,
Nico

Hi Nico,

Sometimes you can check the black paint on the filed areas behind the prism housing, it is often a giveaway.
No easy way to tell if it is done professionally, that's why I added a Non-Red dot list just to keep track of those non-red dot bodies.
Before ebay gained popularity, Red dot bodies were selling at quite a premium over normal bodies from some dealers. That would be an incentive for some people to fake a red dot.

Quote from Pacific Rim Camera's WE BUY page. This is how much they are willing to pay if you sell your Nikons to them

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$$$ = $200-500

$$$$ = $500-1000

Nikon F

The first Nikon SLR, it was an overwhelming success. It became the standard of professional photographers everywhere. Produced for 15 years, about a million units sold. Serial numbers start with 6400001 and end 74xxxxx. Black or chrome.

Early cameras under serial 6401000 $$$-$$$$
Early cameras under serial 6410000 $$$
Cameras with a red dot next ot the serial number $$$
Cameras with serial number 66xxxxx $$$$ (all have red dot)
US Navy cameras $$$
Cameras marked "Nikkor" instead of "Nikon" for the German market. $$$$
Others, black or chrome $$

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You can see they are willing to pay as much for a red dot body (more for 66xxxxx) as a US Navy body or pre 6410000 body.
I suspect they have not updated this page for long time but this is what it was like before Ebay and economic downturn....


Regards

Matthew